There are 57 candidates in the class and Omaha Police Department officials say it's their most diverse class yet.

"Their entire worldview is about to change, and probably already has changed in the first 15 minutes of the academy," Sgt. Jeff Baker said.

The recruits will learn about police work and what it takes to build trust in the community. Chief Todd Schmaderer said it won't be easy.

"You are going to be misunderstood at times. You might make a mistake and have it be merely a mistake and have your motivation supplied for you," he said.

Navigating certain situations has become important.

"I've been a police officer 28 years now at two different agencies and I would say there's been no more of a difficult time to be a police officer than right now," Baker said.

Not everyone will make it through the academy.

"At the end of the day, not everybody can do this job. Not everybody is suited for this job. And probably some of these people will not make it through the end. They will either wash out physically or mentally," Baker said.